Quick Adjust Vehicle Headlight Assembly

ABSTRACT

A headlight assembly with a headlight cover having at least one opening to allow a beam of light from a headlight to pass through the opening. The headlight cover may be secured using a snap-fit to allow a user to release and rotate the headlight cover about the hinge without the use of a tool. Once the headlight cover is rotated open, an operator may then adjust a plurality of fasteners located on a headlight sub-assembly to adjust the direction of the beam from the headlight. The headlight sub-assembly may further be rotated about a second hinge to replace a headlight or more extensive repairs.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/444,017 filed on Feb. 27, 2017. The above referenced application isincorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This patent relates to a hinged vehicle headlight assembly that mayallow an operator access to the headlights to adjust the direction ofthe headlight beams and also provide a means to replace or repair theheadlights.

BACKGROUND

The headlights for any vehicle are an important part of the overallsafety features. Whether lighting up the road at night or illuminated asa daytime running light to make the vehicle more noticeable to abystander, the headlights serve an important safety function. However,sometimes the headlights may not project the beams in the properdirection or may become burned out and need replacement. Providing anoperator with a simple means to either adjust the headlight beams orreplace the burned out headlights would be beneficial.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates to a vehicle headlight assembly comprising aheadlight cover positioned on a front end of a vehicle comprising anexterior surface, an interior surface, a top side, a bottom side, anoutboard side, and an inboard side opposite the outboard side. Theheadlight cover may have a first cover opening and a second coveropening extending through both the exterior surface and the interiorsurface of the headlight cover to allow a first beam of light from afirst headlight to pass through the first cover opening and a secondbeam of light from a second headlight to pass through the second coveropening. The headlight cover may be rotatably attached to the vehiclewith a first hinge attached to the outboard side of the interior surfaceof the headlight cover. A headlight sub-assembly may be positionedbehind the headlight cover and comprise a frame having a first surface,a second surface, and a third surface. The first surface and the secondsurface may be substantially parallel to each other and the thirdsurface may connect the first surface and the second surface. The firstsurface may have a first opening, the first headlight extending at leastpartially through the first opening, and wherein the second surface hasa second opening, the second headlight extending at least partiallythrough the second opening. The frame of the headlight sub-assembly maybe rotatably connected to the vehicle at an outboard side of theheadlight sub-assembly with a second hinge.

This disclosure further relates to a vehicle headlight assembly wherethe first surface of the frame includes a first set of holes and thesecond surface includes a second set of holes. The first headlight maybe secured to the frame using a first plurality of mechanical fastenersthat extend through the first set of holes and the second headlight maybe secured to the frame using a second plurality of mechanical fastenersthat extend through the second set of holes. The first set of holes maycomprise 3 holes that are positioned toward exterior edges of the firstsurface, where the first set of holes comprises at least two holes thatare equidistant to a third hole in the first set of holes. In addition,when each of the first plurality of mechanical fasteners are rotated,the first headlight may be adjusted such that a direction of the firstbeam of light is changed.

Yet other aspects of this disclosure may relate to a vehicle headlightassembly comprising a headlight cover positioned on a front end of avehicle comprising an exterior surface, an interior surface, a frontside, a rear side, a top side, a bottom side, an outboard side, and aninboard side opposite the outboard side, where a first opening extendsthrough both the exterior surface and the interior surface to allow abeam of light from a headlight to pass through the first opening. Ahinge may be attached to the outboard side of the interior surface ofthe headlight cover and to the vehicle, rotatably attaching theheadlight cover to the vehicle, such that the headlight cover isreleasably secured at a location inboard of the hinge such that theheadlight cover can be rotated about the hinge to access the headlightbehind the headlight cover.

The first opening may have a circular shape, where the first opening istapered such that the first opening in the exterior surface has a largerdiameter than the first opening in the interior surface. Also, a portionof the headlight may extend into the first opening and the first openingat the interior surface is larger than an exterior diameter of theheadlight. The headlight cover may be releasably secured at a locationinboard of the hinge such that the headlight cover can be rotated aboutthe hinge to access the headlight. Additionally, the headlight cover mayhave a protrusion positioned on the interior surface near the inboardside; and a clip engaged with the vehicle, the clip configured toreleasably secure the headlight cover to the vehicle, where theprotrusion and the clip form a snap-fit type connection. The headlightcover may have an opaque exterior surface and may also have a secondopening extending through the exterior surface, where the second openingis nearer the inboard side of the headlight cover than the firstopening.

Still other aspects of this disclosure may relate to a vehicle headlightassembly comprising a headlight cover positioned on a front end of avehicle, the headlight cover comprising an exterior surface, an interiorsurface, a front side, a rear side, a top side, a bottom side, anoutboard side, and an inboard side opposite the outboard side, where anopening extends through both the exterior surface and the interiorsurface to allow a beam of light from a headlight to pass through theopening. A first hinge may be attached to the outboard side of theinterior surface of the headlight cover and to the vehicle, where theheadlight cover is configured to rotate about the first hinge to allowaccess to a headlight sub-assembly. Also, a plurality of LEDs may bepositioned around the top side, inboard side and bottom side of theheadlight cover, where the plurality of LEDs may be configured tooperate as both daytime running lights and turn signals. The pluralityof LEDs may extend within a range of 2 inches and 6 inches along a sideof the vehicle. The headlight sub-assembly may further comprise a framehaving a first surface, the first surface having a first opening, wherethe headlight extends at least partially through the first opening andmay be secured to the frame. The frame of the headlight sub-assembly maybe rotatably connected to the vehicle with a second hinge at an outboardside. The headlight may be secured to the frame with a first set ofmechanical fasteners, wherein when each of the first set of mechanicalfasteners are rotated, the headlight is adjusted such that a directionof the beam of light is changed. Each of the first set of mechanicalfasteners may have an end cap positioned on one end, where each end caphas a diameter within a range of 0.30 inches and 0.50 inches. Theheadlight cover may be releasably secured at a location inboard of thefirst hinge such that the headlight cover can be rotated about the firsthinge to access the headlight.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To allow for a full understanding of the present invention, it will nowbe described by way of example, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the headlightassembly of a vehicle as described herein;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view the embodiment of the headlightassembly of FIG. 1 as described herein;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the embodiment of the headlightassembly of FIG. 2 with the headlight cover and headlight sub-assemblyrotated to show the rear of the headlight sub-assembly;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of embodiment of the headlightassembly of FIG. 2 with the headlight cover removed to show theheadlight sub-assembly;

FIG. 5 illustrates a magnified view of headlight sub-assembly of theembodiment of the headlight assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the headlight assembly ofFIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description of various example structures according tothe invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, whichform a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustrationvarious example devices, systems, and environments in which aspects ofthe invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that otherspecific arrangements of parts, example devices, systems, andenvironments may be utilized and structural and functional modificationsmay be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.Also, while the terms “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “side,” “rear,”and the like may be used in this specification to describe variousexample features and elements of the invention, these terms are usedherein as a matter of convenience, e.g., based on the exampleorientations shown in the figures or the orientation during typical use.Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring aspecific three dimensional orientation of structures in order to fallwithin the scope of this invention. Also, the reader is advised that theattached drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

The following terms are used in this specification, and unless otherwisenoted or clear from the context, these terms have the meanings providedbelow.

“Plurality,” as used herein, indicates any number greater than one,either disjunctively or conjunctively, as necessary, up to an infinitenumber.

“Generally parallel” means that a first line, segment, plane, edge,surface, etc. is approximately (in this instance, within 5%) equidistantfrom with another line, plane, edge, surface, etc., over at least 50% ofthe length of the first line, segment, plane, edge, surface, etc.

In general, this disclosure relates to a headlight assembly 100 thatenables an operator to adjust the direction of the beam of one or moreheadlights 20, 22 without the use of a tool. Advantageously this mayallow the headlight adjustment to be done in a quick and efficientmanner. The headlight assembly 100 also has a headlight sub-assembly 150that may rotate open to allow an operator to change the headlights 20,22 if they burn out or otherwise need to be replaced. FIG. 1 is asstated briefly above, a perspective view of a vehicle 10 with aheadlight assembly 100 as described herein. While the vehicle 10 shownis a motor coach, the headlight assembly 100 as described herein may beused on any vehicle, such as an automobile, bus, tractor, airplane,boat, or other type of vehicle that includes a light to provideillumination to the area in front of a vehicle. In other embodimentsheadlight assembly 100 may be used in the rear of a vehicle as taillightassembly or may be used on any other portion of a vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 2, the exterior of the headlight assembly 100 mayinclude a headlight cover 102 positioned on a front end 12 of a vehicle10. The headlight cover 102 may comprise an exterior surface 104, aninterior surface 106, a top side 108, a bottom side 110, an outboardside 112 nearest a side 14 of the vehicle 10, and an inboard side 114opposite the outboard side 112. The headlight cover 102 may furthercomprise a plurality of openings 120, 122 that extend through both theexterior surface 104 and interior surface 106. The openings 120, 122allow for the beams of lights from the headlights 20, 22 to pass throughthe openings 120, 122 to illuminate the path in front of the vehicle 10.In some embodiments the openings 120,122 may include translucent ortransparent covers which may allow light to travel through the openingsbut restrict particles and/or debris from travelling through theopenings 120,122.

In addition, the headlight assembly 100 may include a plurality of LEDs140 positioned around and adjacent to the top side 108, the inboard side114, and the bottom side 110 of the headlight cover 102. As shown, forexample, in FIG. 1, the plurality of LEDs 140 may generally form aV-shape or U-shape, however in other embodiments, plurality of LEDs 140may form a circular shape, rectangular shape, triangular shape, or anyother suitable shape. The plurality of LEDs 140 may function as daytimerunning lights that remain on anytime the vehicle 10 is running. TheLEDs 140 may also illuminate intermittently to function as a turnsignal. The LEDs 140 may illuminate in any color such as illuminate in ayellow or white color when operating as a daytime running light. Inaddition, when operating as a turn signal, the LEDs 140 may illuminatein the same color as the when illuminated as the daytime running lightor alternatively, the LEDs 140 may illuminate in a different color thanthe color illuminated as the daytime running light. For example, theLEDs 140 may be illuminated in white while operating as a daytimerunning light and then change color to yellow when illuminated as a turnsignal.

The plurality of LEDs 140 may comprise approximately 50 LEDs, or may bewithin a range of 25 LEDs to 75 LEDs, or may be any suitable number ofLEDs. Advantageously the plurality of LEDs 140 may extend along a front12 of the vehicle and wrap around a side 14 of the vehicle allowingother drivers to see the plurality of LEDs 140 from a wide range ofviews of the vehicle 10. By wrapping the plurality of LEDs 140 aroundthe side of the vehicle 10, the plurality of LEDs 140 promote visibilityto both the side 14 and rear (not shown) of the vehicle 10 to where theLEDs 140 may illuminate an area approximately 15 degrees rearward from aplane perpendicular to the front 12 of the vehicle, or within a range of10 degrees to 20 degrees rearward from a plane perpendicular to thefront 12 of the vehicle. For example, the plurality of LEDs 140 mayextend along the side 14 of the vehicle 10 at least 2 inches, or extendalong the side of the vehicle 10 within a range of 2 inches to 6 incheswhere the distance may be measured from where the surface curvature ofthe front 12 of the vehicle 10 to the side 14 of the vehicle to an edgeof the plurality of LEDs 140.

Returning now more specifically to the headlights 20, 22, a portion ofone or more of the headlights 20, 22 may extend into at least one of theplurality of openings 120, 122 or a portion of each headlight 20, 22 mayextend into each of the plurality of openings 120, 122. The headlights20, 22 may have one of the headlights designated as a “low beam”headlight, and one of the headlights designated as a “high beam”headlight. Alternatively, the headlight assembly 100 may comprise asingle headlight that has both a “low beam” and “high beam”configuration.

The headlight cover 102 may have a tapered shape where the height of theheadlight cover 102 at the outboard side 112 is greater than the heightof the headlight cover 102 at the inboard side 114. Further, theexterior surface 104 of the headlight cover 102 may be opaque to notallow any light to pass through except for the openings 120, 122.Preferably, the headlight cover 102 may be manufactured from alightweight, rigid material that may be metallic or non-metallic. Forexample, the headlight cover 102 may be made from a composite materialsuch as carbon fiber reinforced polymer, glass fiber reinforced polymer;fiberglass, or even an unfilled polymer material. Alternatively, theheadlight cover 102 may be an aluminum alloy, a magnesium alloy, orother lightweight, rigid metallic material. The headlight cover 102 maybe formed using conventional molding, casting, or forming techniques.

The plurality of openings 120, 122 may have any shape such as acircular, square, or rectangular shape. The openings 120, 122 may eachhave a tapered shape where the size of the opening at the exteriorsurface 104 is greater than the size of the opening at the interiorsurface 106. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, eachopening 120, 122 has a circular shape, where each opening 120, 122 istapered such that the diameter of each opening 120, 122 in the exteriorsurface 104 is greater than the diameter of each opening 120, 122 in theinterior surface 106. Additionally, the plurality of openings 120, 122may comprise two openings such as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4,where a first opening 120 is nearer the outboard side 112 and a secondopening 122 is nearer the inboard side 114 of the headlight cover 102than the first opening 120. However, the plurality of openings 120, 122is not limited to the embodiment shown having two openings as such theheadlight cover 102 may only comprise one opening or may comprise threeopenings, four openings or even more openings. The number of openings120, 122 may equal the number of headlights 20, 22 on the vehicle 10.

As shown in FIG. 4, the headlight cover 102 may be pivotally secured tothe vehicle at one end with a hinge 130 that allows the headlight cover102 to rotate about the hinge 130 and to provide an operator access tothe headlight sub-assembly 150. FIG. 3 illustrates both the headlightcover 102 rotated about the hinge 130 and the headlight sub-assembly 150rotated about the second hinge 164 shown in FIG. 4. The headlight cover102 may be releasably secured at a location opposite the hinge 130 usinga snap-fit type connection to allow an operator to rotate the headlightcover 102 open without using a tool. This simplicity saves the operatortime when needing to adjust the direction of the headlight beams or tofurther access the headlights for more extensive repairs or replacement.The snap-fit type connection may comprise a protrusion 132 positioned onthe interior surface 106 of the headlight cover 102 near the inboardside 114. This protrusion 132 may have a profile that engages with aclip 134 with a corresponding profile connected to the vehicle 10 tosecure the headlight cover 102 with the vehicle 10. The clip 134 mayconnect to one or more springs to engage and release the snap-fit typeconnection.

The headlight sub-assembly 150 may be positioned under the headlightcover 102 such that as the headlight cover 102 is rotated about thehinge 130, the headlight sub-assembly 150 may be exposed to allow theoperator access. FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of the headlightsub-assembly 150 with the headlight cover 102 removed for clarity. Theheadlight sub-assembly 150 may comprise a frame 152, a plurality ofheadlights 20, 22, and a hinge 164. The frame 152 may have a firstsurface 154, a second surface 156 substantially parallel to the firstsurface 154, and a third surface 158 connecting the first surface 154 tothe second surface 156. The first surface 154 may be positioned forwardof the second surface 156. In other embodiments, the frame 152 mayinclude more or less surface 154, 156, 158. For example, in oneembodiment, the three surfaces 154, 156, 158 may be combined into asingle contiguous surface. Returning now to FIG. 4, the first surface154 may have a first opening 160 wherein the first headlight 20 has aportion that extends through the first opening 160, and wherein thesecond surface 156 has a second opening 162 wherein the second headlight22 has a portion that extends through the second opening 162.

Opening 160 may be centrally located in the first surface 154.Similarly, opening 162 may be centrally located in the second surface156. Openings 160, 162 may have any shape such as a circular, square, orrectangular shape. The openings 160, 162 in the frame 152 may be thesame shape as the openings 120, 122 in the headlight cover 102.

The frame 152 may be connected to the vehicle 10 with a hinge 164wherein the hinge 164 is positioned on the outboard side 112 of theframe 152. The headlight sub-assembly 150 may be secured to the vehicle10 using a mechanical fastener 184 near the inboard side 114 of theframe 152. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, mechanical fastener 184extends through a mounting hole 178 positioned on a flange 179 connectedto the second surface 156. The frame 152 may be secured to the vehicle10 using a plurality of fasteners 184 as in the embodiment shown in FIG.3, or alternatively the frame 152 may be secured using a single fastener184. The fastener 184 may further be constrained to the frame 152 suchthat the fastener 184 remains with the frame 152 when the headlightsub-assembly 150 is rotated about the hinge 164. In other embodiments,the fastener 184 may be replaced with other types of mechanicalfasteners including for example, snap-fit or press-fit connections.

The first surface 154 and the second surface 156 may be substantiallyrectangular or square in shape, but alternatively may be any suitableshape. The first surface 154 may have a first set of mounting holes 166,168, 170, 172 positioned near the exterior edges of the first surface154. Similarly, the second surface 156 may have a second set of mountingholes 174, 176, 178, 180 positioned toward exterior edges of the secondsurface 156. Each of the first set of mounting holes 166, 168, 170, 172and the second set of mounting holes 174, 176, 178, 180 may comprise 4mounting holes.

Both the first set and the second set of mounting holes 166, 168, 170,172, 174, 176, 178, 180 may be the same size to each receive the samesize plurality of mechanical fasteners 186, 188. Additionally, the firstset of mounting holes 166, 168, 170, 172 may connect to form a generallysquare-shaped pattern, such that each of the mounting holes 166, 168,170, 172 are positioned near the corners of the first surface 154.Similarly, the second set of mounting holes 174, 176, 178, 180 mayconnect to form a generally square-shaped pattern, such that each of themounting holes 174, 176, 178, 180 are positioned near the corners of thesecond surface 156. In other embodiments, there may be more or fewermounting holes. For example, the mounting holes 166, 168, 170, 172 mayhave at least two holes 166, 170 that are equidistant to a third hole168 of the set. Similarly, the mounting holes 174, 176, 178, 180 mayhave at least two holes 174, 178 that are equidistant to a third hole176 of the set.

The first and second headlights 120, 122 may be adjustably secured tothe frame 152. In embodiments, the first headlight 20 may be adjustablysecured to the first surface 154 of the frame 152. The headlight 20 maybe secured to the first surface using a first set of mechanicalfasteners 186 that extend through the first set of mounting holes 166,168, 170, 172. Similarly, the second headlight 22 may be adjustablysecured to the second surface 156 of the frame 152. The second headlight22 may be secured to the second surface 156 using a second plurality ofmechanical fasteners 188 that extend through the second set of mountingholes 174, 176 178, 180.

In one embodiment, each headlight 20, 22 may be initially secured to arespective mounting ring 200, 210 prior to being secured to the frame152. Thus, headlight 20 may be secured to the mounting ring 200 and thenthe mounting ring 200 may be secured to the frame 152. Similarly,headlight 22 may be secured to the mounting ring 210 and then themounting ring 210 may be secured to the frame 152. The mounting ring 200may have a plurality of flanges 202, 204, 206, 208 positioned around themounting ring 200. Each flange 202, 204, 206, 208 may comprise anengaging member 220 secured to each flange 202, 204, 206, 208. Eachengaging member 220 may extend through and be secured to each flange202, 204, 206, 208. Additionally, each engaging member 220 connected tomounting ring 200 may be configured to receive a mechanical fastener186, such that the mechanical fastener 186 may extend through theengaging member 220. Similarly, each engaging member 220 connected tothe mounting ring 210 may receive a mechanical fastener 188, such thatthe mechanical fastener 188 may extend through the engaging member 220.The engaging members 220 may have a threaded portion that engages themechanical fasteners 186, 188 such that each flange 202, 204, 206, 208of the mounting ring 200 and each flange 212, 214, 216, 218 of mountingring 210 may travel forward and/or backward along their respectivemechanical fastener 186, 188 when the mechanical fastener 186,188 isrotated.

Alternatively, the flanges 200, 210 may be have a threaded portionwithin each flange 202, 204, 206, 208, 212, 214, 216, 218 to directlyengage their respective mechanical fastener 186, 188 without using anengaging member 220.

The flanges 202, 204, 206, 208 may be evenly spaced oriented around themounting ring 200, such that they are 90 degrees apart from one another.

The mounting ring 200 may be secured to the frame 152 by extending eachmechanical fastener 186 through one of the mounting holes 166, 168, 170,172 on the first surface 154 and also through its respectively orientedflange 202, 204, 206, 208 of the mounting ring 200. Each mechanicalfastener 186 may be arranged such that when the fastener 186 is rotatedthe flange 202, 204, 206, 208 of the mounting ring 200 containing thefastener 186 may move either toward or away from the first surface 154depending upon the direction the fastener 186 is rotated. In thismanner, the mounting ring 200 may tilt either up or down, left or right,or a combination to thereby adjust the direction of the beam of lightprojecting from the headlight 20.

The configuration for the second headlight 22 is similar or identical tothe configuration for the first headlight 20. The mounting ring 210 maybe secured to the frame 152 by extending each mechanical fastener 188through one of the mounting holes 174, 176, 178, 180 on the secondsurface 156 and also through its respectively oriented flange 212, 214,216, 218 of the mounting ring 210. Each mechanical fastener 188 may bearranged such that when the fastener 188 is rotated the flange 212, 214,216, 218 of the mounting ring 210 containing the fastener 188 may moveeither toward or away from the second surface 156 depending upon thedirection the fastener 188 is rotated. In this manner, the mounting ring210 may tilt either up or down, left or right, or a combination tothereby adjust the direction of the beam of light projecting from theheadlight 22.

Each fastener 186, 188 may be configured to be adjustable without use ofa tool. In one embodiment, each fastener 186, 188 may have an end cap230 connected to one end of each fastener 186, 188 that enables thefasteners 186, 188 to be rotated with an operator's hand, thus withoutthe use of a tool. As discussed above, this rotation of the fasteners186, 188 may adjust the position or tilt of the respective mounting ring200, 210 to thereby adjust the direction of the beam of light projectingfrom the respective headlight 20, 22. The end caps 230 may engage oneend each of the fasteners 186, 188 and also help to secure each of thefasteners 186, 188 to the frame 152. The end cap 230 may be sized toenable the user to easily grip the end cap 230 and easily rotate each ofthe plurality of fasteners 186, 188. For example, the end cap 230 mayhave a diameter of approximately 0.40 inches, or within a range of 0.30inches and 0.50 inches, or within a range 0.25 inches and 0.60 inches.Additionally, the end cap 230 may extend a distance of approximately0.30 inches or within a range of 0.25 inches and 0.35 inches, or withina range of 0.20 inches and 0.50 inches from either the first surface 154or second surface 156 depending upon which surface 154, 156 of the frameit is connected. Further the end caps 230 may have a plurality ofgrooves that may further allow an operator to grip them. Alternatively,the fasteners 186, 188 may be formed of unitary construction with anappropriate sized end, such as an increased diameter, height, or groovedfeatures on one end to allow an operator to easily grip and rotate thefasteners 186, 188. In other alternate embodiments, the fasteners 186,188 may have one end that requires a tool, such as a screwdriver, toturn the fastener.

In order to adjust the direction of the beams of light coming from theheadlight 20, 22 an operator may release the headlight cover 102 fromthe snap-fit connection and rotate the headlight cover 102 about thehinge 130 to reveal the headlight sub-assembly 150. Since the headlightcover 102 is secured using a snap-fit type connection, the operator mayopen and close the headlight cover 102 without using a tool. Once theheadlight cover 102 is rotated around the hinge 130, the operator mayadjust any of the first set of fasteners 186 to change the direction ofthe beam of either or both of the headlights 20, 22. For example, sincethe first set of fasteners 186 are connected to the mounting ring 200which holds the headlight 20, each fastener 186 may be rotatedindividually to adjust the vertical and horizontal direction of the beamfor the headlight 20. In this manner, the first set of fasteners 186 actmuch the same as adjusting the length of the legs to level a stool.Similarly, the process would be repeated to adjust the direction of thebeam for the headlight 22 using the second set of fasteners 188.

If a headlight 20, 22 or headlight bulb 24, 26 needs to be replaced, anoperator would release the headlight cover 102 from the snap-fitconnection and rotate the headlight cover 102 around the hinge 130revealing the headlight sub-assembly 150. Next, the operator wouldremove the fastener or plurality of fasteners 184 securing the headlightsub-assembly 150 to the vehicle 10. Once the fastener(s) 184 is removed,the operator may rotate the headlight sub-assembly 150 around the hinge164 to access the rear of the sub-assembly 150. The operator may thenremove the any electrical cabling to the headlight bulbs 24, 26 andeither replace the bulbs 24, 26 or replace the headlight 20, 22 byremoving the fasteners 186, 188 securing the mounting rings 200, 210 tothe frame 152.

As an alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the headlights may beadjusted using only 3 mechanical fasteners 186, 188. In this embodiment,the first surface 154 and the second surface 156 may be substantiallyrectangular or square in shape, but alternatively may be any suitableshape. The first surface 154 may have a first set of mounting holes 166,168, 170 positioned near the exterior edges of the first surface 154.Similarly, the second surface 156 may have a second set of mountingholes 174, 176, 178 positioned toward exterior edges of the secondsurface 156. Each of the first set of mounting holes 166, 168, 170 andthe second set of mounting holes 174, 176, 178 may comprise 3 mountingholes.

Both the first set and the second set of mounting holes 166, 168, 170,174, 176, 178 may be the same size to each receive the same size aplurality of mechanical fasteners 186, 188. Additionally, the first setof mounting holes 166, 168, 170 may have at least two holes 166, 168that are equidistant to a third hole 170 of the set. Also, an imaginaryline connecting between the center of each of the first set of mountingholes 166, 168, 170 may form a right triangle or alternatively may forman equilateral triangle. Similarly, the second set of mounting holes174, 176, 178 may have at least two holes 176, 178 that are equidistantto a third hole 176 of the set. Also, an imaginary line connectingbetween the center of each of the first set of mounting holes 174, 176,178 may form a right triangle or alternatively may form an equilateraltriangle.

Claims conclude this specification. The claims are not to be limited todetails of the preferred embodiment except as stated to exist in theclaims, and definitions of claim terms are not to be used as asubterfuge to limit the claims to details of the preferred embodimentsby defining claim terms narrowly such that they incorporate details ofthe preferred embodiment.

Conclusion

The purpose served by the disclosure is to provide an example of thevarious features and concepts related to the invention, not to limit thescope of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognizethat numerous variations and modifications may be made to the aspectsdescribed above without departing from the scope of the presentinvention, as defined by the appended claims.

1. (canceled)
 2. A vehicle headlight assembly comprising: a framecomprising a first plate, a second plate, and a third plate, wherein thefirst plate and the second plate are substantially parallel to eachother and the third plate connects the first plate and the second plate,wherein the first plate has a first central opening, and the secondplate has a second central opening; a first headlight extending at leastpartially through the first central opening, a second headlightextending at least partially through the second central opening, whereinthe first plate includes a first set of holes and the second plateincludes a second set of holes, and wherein the first headlight isadjustably secured to the frame using a first set of mechanicalfasteners that extend through the first set of holes, and the secondheadlight is adjustably secured to the frame using a second set ofmechanical fasteners that extend through the second set of holes,wherein when each of the first set of mechanical fasteners are rotated,the first headlight is adjusted such that a direction of a beam of lightfrom the first headlight is changed, and wherein when each of the secondset of mechanical fasteners are rotated, the second headlight isadjusted such that a direction of a beam of light from the secondheadlight is changed; and wherein the frame is pivotally connected to avehicle at an outboard side of the vehicle headlight assembly.
 3. Thevehicle headlight assembly of claim 2, wherein the first set of holescomprises 3 holes that are positioned toward exterior edges of the firstplate.
 4. The vehicle headlight assembly of claim 3, wherein the firstset of holes comprises at least two holes that are equidistant to athird hole in the first set of holes.
 5. The vehicle headlight assemblyof claim 2, wherein each fastener of the first set of mechanicalfasteners has an end cap positioned on one end, wherein each end cap hasa diameter within a range of 0.30 inches and 0.50 inches.
 6. The vehicleheadlight assembly of claim 2, wherein the second plate includes aflange that includes a mounting hole, wherein a fastener extends throughthe mounting hole to secure the frame to the vehicle.
 7. The vehicleheadlight assembly of claim 2, the first plate is offset from the secondplate.
 8. A vehicle headlight assembly comprising: a headlight coverpositioned on a front end of a vehicle comprising an exterior surface,an interior surface, a top side, a bottom side, an outboard side, and aninboard side opposite the outboard side, wherein the headlight cover hasa first cover opening; a frame comprising a first plate, a second plate,and a third plate, wherein the first plate and the second plate aregenerally parallel to each other and the third plate connects the firstplate and the second plate; wherein the first plate has a first plateopening; a headlight, wherein the headlight extends at least partiallythrough the first plate opening and also extends at least partiallythrough the cover opening; wherein the headlight is adjustably securedto the frame using a first plurality of mechanical fasteners; whereinthe frame is pivotally connected to the vehicle at an outboard side ofthe vehicle headlight assembly; and wherein the frame is positionedunderneath the headlight cover.
 9. The vehicle headlight assembly ofclaim 8, wherein the cover opening has a circular shape, wherein thecover opening is tapered such that the cover opening in the exteriorsurface has a larger diameter than the cover opening in the interiorsurface.
 10. The vehicle headlight assembly of claim 8, the first plateis offset from the second plate.
 11. The vehicle headlight assembly ofclaim 8, wherein the exterior surface of the headlight cover is opaque.12. The vehicle headlight assembly of claim 8, further comprising asecond headlight, wherein the second headlight extends at leastpartially through a second plate opening in the second plate.
 13. Thevehicle headlight assembly of claim 12, wherein the second headlightextends at least partially through a second cover opening spaced fromthe first cover opening.
 14. The vehicle headlight assembly of claim 8,wherein the headlight is secured to a mounting ring that is secured tothe first plate.
 15. The vehicle headlight assembly of claim 14, whereinthe mounting ring has a plurality of flanges positioned around themounting ring, and wherein each mechanical fastener of the firstplurality of mechanical fasteners extend through each flange of theplurality of flanges.
 16. A vehicle headlight assembly comprising: aheadlight cover attached to a vehicle, wherein the headlight cover has afirst cover opening, and wherein an exterior surface of the headlightcover is opaque; a frame comprising a first plate, a second plate, and athird plate, wherein the first plate and the second plate aresubstantially parallel to each other and the first plate is offset fromthe second plate, and wherein the third plate connects the first plateand the second plate and the first plate has a first plate opening; afirst headlight, wherein the first headlight extends at least partiallythrough the first plate opening and also extends at least partiallythrough the cover opening; wherein the first headlight is adjustablysecured to the frame using a first plurality of mechanical fasteners;wherein the frame is connected to the vehicle at an outboard side of thevehicle headlight assembly; and wherein the frame is positionedunderneath the headlight cover.
 17. The vehicle headlight assembly ofclaim 16, further comprising a second headlight, wherein the secondheadlight extends at least partially through a second plate opening inthe second plate, and wherein the second headlight extends at leastpartially through a second cover opening in the headlight cover that isspaced apart from the first cover opening.
 18. The vehicle headlightassembly of claim 16, wherein the first headlight is secured to amounting ring that is secured to the first plate.
 19. The vehicleheadlight assembly of claim 18, wherein the mounting ring has aplurality of flanges positioned around the mounting ring, and whereineach mechanical fastener of the first plurality of mechanical fastenersextend through each flange of the plurality of flanges.
 20. The vehicleheadlight assembly of claim 19, wherein the plurality of flanges areevenly spaced apart from each other around the mounting ring.
 21. Thevehicle headlight assembly of claim 16, wherein the headlight cover isrotatably connected to the vehicle with a hinge at the outboard side ofthe vehicle headlight assembly, and wherein the headlight cover isreleasably secured to the vehicle at a location inboard of the hingesuch that that the headlight cover can be rotated about the hinge toaccess the first headlight.